SCOTTISH alt.blues troubadour Dave Arcari makes his Orkney debut as a headliner at  Orkney Blues Festival when he plays three shows at festival venues during the event which takes place Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September .

Arcari has just returned from a five week tour of the USA which saw him cover nearly 10,000 miles and play 20 shows including the launch of the ‘Dave Arcari signature model’ guitar from California-based National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

The signature guitar project began earlier in the year when Arcari made his California debut demonstrating instruments on National Reso-Phonic’s booth at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Anaheim as well as performing a string of dates in and around Los Angeles.

“It was exciting to be pulling together the dream guitar,” says Arcari. “And to do so with a company synonymous with blues music and the development of resonator guitars is a real privilege.”

Arcari has been playing National Reso-Phonic guitars professionally for more than 20 years and has a long-standing relationship with the company.

“When I first started playing these guitars in the 1990s I never dreamt our relationship would evolve into what it is today.”

His latest release – Brexit Blues – is neither pro-, nor anti-, the Brexit farce – more an observation of the current political climate in the UK and abroad which showcases a mellower side to Arcari’s songwriting and performance. It’s available to stream and download via Spotify, Apple Music and all digital services.

Arcari’s last full length release – Live at Memorial Hall – is the definitive collection of his music to date and available on double 180g coloured vinyl and digipak CD as well as download/streaming via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon MP3 and the usual digital services.

Arcari has recently been taken onboard by Reunion Blues Gig Bags as an official artist, a partnership which sees the premium instrument case manufacturer join Arcari’s list of endorsers alongside National Reso-Phonic Guitars, Newtone Strings, G7th Capos and Diamond Bottlenecks.

“Dave plays like he got his skin turned inside out and pretty soon my skin was inside out too listening and it was all good. That boy bleeds for you – he a real down deep player and a soul man…” SEASICK STEVE